Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins running back
Paul Perkins(24) carries the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Today, UCLA football plays their home opener against the Memphis Tigers at the Rose Bowl. Here are a few keys to the game that would help the Bruins effort to re-establish a dominating game.
Defense, Clap Clap
Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) lines up against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Let us start with the defense. There is no question that the Bruin D was ready for this season. UCLA had three defensive touchdowns in their game against Virginia, which became the most in the country. The Bruins are definitely in mid-season form and are already playing up to their strengths. They need to keep pressing offenses and standing strong in their game.
Due to his 16 tackle, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception for a touchdown performance, Eric Kendricks was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week. There is no question that the defense is ready behind that kind of work and that is just one guy. several Bruins stepped up on D and you will be hearing their names a lot in today’s match-up.
Start Fast, Start Strong
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One thing that happened with UCLA at the beginning of last season and reared its ugly head last week against Virginia is that the Bruins started slow. It took the Bruins until after the break to get things going and that could get sticky later in the season. The Bruins have to establish their game early and stay on that path now to avoid late season trip ups.
Last week, it appeared as though the Bruins were doing too much too soon. Brett Hundley does not have to go for the 20-yard pass every time. The Bruins need to pace themselves and go step by step. If they plan their attack against Memphis, they are more likely to succeed, but they do have a particular tempo offense that needs to keep up.
What they also need to do, as we heard this past week on the Pac-12 Network’s ‘The Drive’, Jim Mora said in the game against Virginia that they need to go faster. They need to set up faster, they need to execute faster and they need to make decisions faster. The Bruins need to capitalize on that part of their game to establish what they want to do. That is when Bruin football will be dangerous.
The Possession Game
Last week, the Bruins had the ball almost ten minutes less than the Cavaliers. Part of that was the defense quickly scoring on three Virginia turnovers, which immediately put the ball back in Cavalier possession. It also had to do with the fact UCLA were being forced to go three-and-out in several series.
Either way, the Bruins need to hold on to the ball a little bit more if they want to control the game. The Bruins had the ball a lot less last week and they barely escaped a game in which Virginia was on a comeback. Today, the Bruins need to make many different improvements to take down a Memphis team that won 63-0 in their first game against Austin Peay.
Improve The Play Calling
Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Brett Hundley (17) throws the ball against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone admitted that the play-calling was not the best. He needs to be smarter and more ingenious about the game plan. Going for the killer pass on every (or every other) play is not going to get it done. If Memphis is smart, they should put on a lot of pressure that will fluster the offensive line and Hundley. These need to be countered with a variety of schemes.
Keep a blocker in the back field, establish a run game, utilize screen and swing passes… anything other than what we saw last week. One thing that this writer would like to see is the use of the power formation that Myles Jack made famous last season. Now I am not saying use Jack, but use those type of plays to stack the line and forcefully push through the Memphis defensive front because the most important thing UCLA NEEDS to establish is a run game.
Deploy A Run Game, Any Run Game
It is well known that the offensive line had trouble last game, which affected evert aspect of the offense. The one part of the offense that seemed nonexistent was the run. UCLA only had 116 yards on the ground which translated to 3.0 yards per carry. That will not even put a dent in tin foil.
The Bruins got some bad news this week when RB Steven Manfro tore is ACL and is now out for the season. Despite minimal production, he was part of a three man rotation with Jordan James and Paul Perkins. This week, freshman Nate Starks will be inserted into that spot to help the running game. Hoepfully the change in personnel sparks something for the Bruins that gets them more than change for running yards.